Adjustable filter rod forming plate assembly



April 30, 1968 A. M. GARTON ADJUSTABLE FILTER ROD FORMING PLATE ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 14, 1966 April 30, 1968 A. M. GARTON ADJUSTABLE FILTER ROD FORMING PLATE ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 14, 1966 United States Patent 3,380,352 ADJUSTABLE FILTER ROD FORMING PLATE ASSEMBLY Albert M. Garton, Richmond, Va., assignor to Ph lip Morris Incorporated, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Virginia Filed Feb. 14, 1966, Ser. No. 527,289 9 (Ilaims. (Cl. 93-1) This invention relates to a final rod wrapper mechanism for use in apparatus with which continuous fabricated rods are produced. The mechanism is particularly useful in the fabrication of wrapped cigarette filter rods for controlling the final circumferential dimension of the rod.

In the general class of apparatus with which cigarette filter rods may be fabricated, the rod is usually formed from a filler material which is fed in continuous quantity on top of a continuous strip of Wrapper paper, the strip and filler being progressively shaped into a cylinder as they pass through the apparatus. The apparatus is such that in a preliminary stage of the fabrication, a tangentially extending longitudinal edge is left on the strip, the edge remaining unfolded until the strip passes through the device of the present invention which completes the final folding or overlapping of the strip edge against the body of the rod.

In accordance with the present invention, the final rod wrapper folding mechanism comprises a shaped folder plate which is supported for floating movement above a base and laterally of the rod which travels in a longitudinal groove in the base. The folder plate is provided with a longitudinal groove complemental to the groove in the base and adapted to bear along a major portion of its length against the filter rod. The groove in the folder plate is provided with an enlarged initial portion at the point where the rod makes first entry thereunder and which diminishes in dimension in the direction of advance of the rod thereby being adapted to fold over the longitudinal edge on the strip as the latter engages the groove in its travel. The folder plate is mounted above the plate by retaining the ends thereof in suitable guides which limit the folder plate movement to a vertical sliding travel only. Adjustment of the position of the folder plate is provided by a biasing means which normally acts to urge the folder plate upwardly of the base and a suitable adjustable stop means bearing against the top of the folder plate to limit the force of the biasing means. By adjusting the position of the folder plate, the pressure with which it bears against the rod is varied correspondingly varying the size of the filter rod.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from the consideration of a representative embodiment of the principles of the invention to be described. The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

Reference should :be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a portion of a system for fabricating cigarette filter rods and having a final rod wrapper folding mechanism constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a transverse sectional view through a portion of the machinery shown in FIGURE 1 illustrating the manner in which adhesive is applied to the upstanding edge of the wrapper strip just prior to the entry thereof into the folding mechanism of the present invention.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the adjustable folder plate as viewed from the rear thereof looking up from under the plate.

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the plate shown in FIG- URE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a rear elevational view of the plate shown in FIGURES 3 and 4.

FIGURE 6 is an end elevational view of the plate as viewed from the left in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 7 is the same as FIGURE 6 as viewed from the opposite end.

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the final rod wraper mechanism illustrating the manner in which the folder plate is mounted on the base plate for floating vertical movement, a portion thereof being broken away to show with clarity the biasing means which tends to urge the plate upwardly.

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the manner in which the adjustable stop means is supported above the folder plate to limit the adjustment thereof with respect to the base.

FIGURE 10 is a vertical sectional view as taken along the line XX 0f FIGURE 8.

Throughout the description like reference numerals are used to denote like parts.

The overall system with which cigarette filter rods may be fabricated is generally similar to that of tobacco rod forming machines. A portion only of the system is shown in FIGURE 1, as it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that discussion of the parts of the system which are not shown is unnecessary for fully understanding the concepts of the present invention. A brief description of how the system operates to fabricate a filter rod will be given, reference being had to FIGURE 1. A suitable filler material such as a tow of filaments 10 is fed in continuous supply through a collecting horn 12 onto the upper surface of a continuous wrapper strip 14 which is advanced into the system being supported on a fabric belt 16 traversing an endless path through the system. The strip 14 and tow M} are advanced first through a preliminary folding means 20 of known construction which functions to wind the wrapper strip 14 around the tow so as to form the parti-cylindrical filter rod 22 generally depicted in FIGURE 2, leaving on the parti-cylindrical rod an upstanding tangentially directed longitudinal edge 24 as it exits from the said preliminary folding means. Positioned adjacent the preliminary folding means 20 is a paste roller 26 which as shown in FIGURE 2, applies a film of adhesive to the inner face of the upstanding strip edge 24 to permit securement thereof against the body of the filter rod 22 within the final folding mechanism 30. On leaving the preliminary folding means, the partly formed rod enters the final folding mechanism 30 of the present invention which will be described in detail later in the description. The final folding mechanism 30 includes a shaped folder plate 32 which functions to fold down the upstanding strip edge 24 against the body of the filter rod. Also, the folder plate is supported to be adjustable laterally of the filter rod 22 and to bear against the filter rod so that depending on the position of the plate, the size of the finally formed filter rod may be controlled. On leaving the final folding mechanism 30, the filter rod passes under a heater device of known construction which heats the adhesive previously applied to the strip edge to effect a proper adhesive bond of the overlapped strip edge to the filter rod body. On passing from the heater, the fully formed filter rod 22 may be advanced through other devices in the system as for example, a gaging means to gage the rod size to permit adjustments to be made in the final folding mechanism if the rod size is without prescribed limits, and a suitable cutter device to cut the continuous filter rod into sections of smaller length for use on cigarette making machines.

The final folding mechanism 30, features of which may be best seen in FIGURES 8 and 9, will now be described. It includes a base 59 which is generally similar to those found on the previously mentioned tobacco rod forming machines and commonly referred to in the art as a compressor box. The base 50 is provided with a longitudinal groove 52 in which the filter rod 22 is advanced, the groove being of substantially semi-circular cross section. The base 50 is preferably mounted on top of a garniture support member 54 as shown. The final folding mechanism also includes the folder plate 32 which functions to fold over the strip edge and with the base 50 to control the filter rod size and will now be described, reference being had to FIGURES 37 of the drawings. The folder plate 32 is a longitudinally elongated member which has a generally straight front side as at 56 and a specially shaped rear side as may best be seen in FIG- URE 3. The shape of the rear side is that of a generally parti-circular groove 58 extending the full length of the plate and having an enlarged portion as at 60 where the filter rod makes initial entry against the folder plate. The enlarged portion 60 which has the general shape of a segment of a cone diminishes in dimension until the groove 58 becomes substantially uniform in size for the remainder of its length as shown. The purpose of the enlarged portion 60 is to fold down progressively the upstanding longitudinal edge 24 on the wrapper strip 14 as it advances thereagainst for giving the filter rod its final shape. The folder plate 32 also includes a central rearwardly inclined portion 62 which provides clearance for the heater 40 to extend over the folder plate, the heater being used to heat the adhesive previously applied to the edge 24 of the paper strip and thereby effect an adhesive bond between the overlapping portion of the strip and the body of the filter rod in the manner previously described.

The folder plate is adapted to be supported on top of the base 50 with the groove 58 in the folder plate located complemental to the groove 52 in the base and defining therewith a passage through which the filter rod advances. The folder plate 32 is supported so as to have vertical sliding movement only with respect to the base 50 and consequently lateral movement only with respect to the filter rod as it passes through the folding mechanism. To that end, the folder plate 32 engages guide means at the corresponding ends as shown in FIGURE 8. Thus, the bracket member 64 is connected to the front side of base 50 by means of a set screw 66 or similar fastener and extends upwardly therefrom alongside one end of the folder plate having a finger 68 extending transversely inwardly therefrom against the transverse edge of the folder plate. The other end of the folder plate is provided with a groove 70 wherein extends the tongue 72 of an insert 74 fixedly connected to the base 50 by means of a set screw 76 extending downwardly into the base. The bracket member 64 and insert 74 thus prevent the folder plate from moving frontally or rearwardly horizontally of the base or longitudinally thereof. When the folder plate 32 is in operative position on the base, the groove 58 therein is located over the groove 52 in the base.

The folder plate is supported for floating movement by means of the spring and stud arrangement in the manner best seen in FIGURES 8 to and now to be described. Garniture support member 54 is provided at a location below the folder plate with a number of concentric vertically extending holes 80, 82, the lowermost one of which is shouldered as at 84 to adapt it for receiving a compression spring 86 (FIG. 10). A shouldered stud 88 is supported on top of the spring 86 and extends upw ardly therefrom and through a suitable opening 90 provided in the base 50 into contact with the underface of the folder plate 32. In this manner, the stud applies an upwardly biasing force against the folder plate tending to move it vertically laterally of the base and the filter rod 22 passing under the folder plate. To limit the upwardly biasing force exerted on the folder plate and thereby control the rod size, an adjustable stop means is provided. The stop means may be of the type shown in FIGURE 9 or other stop device suited for the intended purpose. In one form, the stop means may comprise an adjustment screw 10%) which is threaded with a loose fit in an arm 102 which extends over the top of the folder plate 32 as shown. It is preferable that the arm 102 be mounted on a pivot 104 connected with a suitable support (not shown) thereby permitting the adjustment screw 100 to be swung freely away from the folder plate 32 to permit removal of the latter from the guides if required.

A brief description on the manner in which the final folding mechanism 30 of the present invention functions will now be given. The circumference of the fully formed filter rod 22 is controlled by the size of the passage in the final folding mechanism through which the rod passes and defined by the groove 52 in the base and the curved groove 58 in the folder plate. When the filter rod in its parti-cylindrical form as shown in FIGURE 2 enters the final folding mechanism, the longitudinal upstanding edge 24 on the wrapper strip will engage against the enlarged portion of the folder plate groove 58 being progressively folded down in overlapping position against the body of the filter rod as it advances onwardlyv The rod will then continue along in contact with the substantially straight section of groove 58. The spacing between the latter and the groove 52 of the base will produce the final filter rod circumferential dimension. If the filter rod passing through the final folding mechanism is being formed with an oversize circumference, the latter being determined in any suitable manner at a station later on in the system, the circumference can be brought back within a prescribed range by rotating the adjustment screw to thereby force the folder plate 32 downwardly against the biasing force of the spring 86 and stud 88 to diminish the size of the passage. On the other hand, if the filter rod is being formed with a circumference that is less than the prescribed value, the adjustment screw 100 can be backed off to permit the biasing force to urge the folder plate 32 upwardly until the passage has a size corresponding with the intended filter rod circumference.

Various other changes and different embodiments of the apparatus could be made within the principles described in the foregoing and it is intended that all matter for the use therein or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. In a continuous rod forming machine having a final wrapper mechanism including a base having a longitudinal groove therein through which a continuous wrapper strip with a filler material superposed thereon are advanced during formation of the rod to wrap the strip around the filler, an upper adjustable member having a longitudinal groove complemental to the groove in said base and shaped to fold down progressively an overlapping edge of the strip, mounting guide means supporting said adjustable member for movement laterally of the rod, and means for controlling the lateral position of said adjustable member comprising biasing means normally urging said member in one direction, and adjustable stop means opposing said biasing means for limiting the lateral positioning of said adjustable member.

2. The continuous rod forming machine of claim 1 in which said mounting guide means comprises guides at each end of said adjustable member in which the corresponding end is freely slidable laterally of the rod.

3. The continuous rod forming machine of claim 2 wherein one of the guides comprises an insert connected to said base and having a tongue extending in a groove at one end of said adjustable member, the other guide comprising a bracket connected to said base end extending upwardly at one longitudinal margin of said member and having a finger extending transversely therefrom against the other end of said adjustable member 4. The continuous rod forming machine of claim 1 wherein said biasing means and said stop means are located intermediate the ends of said adjustable member.

5. The continuous rod forming machine of claim 4 wherein said biasing means comprises a spring supported in said base, and a stud connected with said spring extending upwardly from said base and engaging a lower portion of said adjustable member.

6. The continuous rod forming machine of claim 4 wherein the adjustable stop means comprises an arm member and a screw threaded in said arm member and engaging an upper portion of said adjustable member, said arm member being mounted on a pivot means adjacent said adjustable member for swinging said screw away from said adjustable member thereby to permit removal of said member from said mounting guide means.

7. The continuous rod forming machine of claim 1 wherein the longitudinal groove of said adjustable member is enlarged at the point of first entry of the strip and filler material thereunder.

8. The continuous rod forming machine of claim 7 wherein the enlarged portion of said groove diminishes in dimension in the direction of the advance of the rod 6 thereby to progressively fold down the overlapping edge of the strip.

9. In a rod forming machine in which a filler material is progressively enclosed in a continuous wrapper strip and including a preliminary wrapper folding means adapted to shape the strip around the filler material and leave a laterally extending edge thereon, means for applying adhesive to said edge, a final Wrapper folding mechanism comprising a bottom plate having a longitudinal groove through which the strip and filler material advance, an upper adjustable plate having a longitudinal groove complemental to the groove in said bottom plate and shaped to fold down and lap over progressively said laterally extending edge of the strip, mounting guide means supporting said upper plate for movement laterally of the rod, and means for controlling the vertical position of said upper plate comprising a biasing means normally urging said upper plate upwardly and an adjustable stop means opposing said biasing means for limiting the vertical positioning of said upper plate with respect to said bottom plate.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,345,917 10/1967 Agett et al. 931 3,357,321 12/1967 Hall 93-1 WILLIAM S, LAWSON, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A CONTINUOUS ROD FORMING MACHINE HAVING A FINAL WRAPPER MECHANISM INCLUDING A BASE HAVING A LONGITUDINAL GROOVE THEREIN THROUGH WHICH A CONTINUOUS WRAPPER STRIP WITH A FILLER MATERIAL SUPERPOSED THEREON ARE ADVANCED DURING FORMATION OF THE ROD TO WRAP THE STRIP AROUND THE FILLER, AN UPPER ADJUSTABLE MEMBER HAVING A LONGITUDINAL GROOVE COMPLEMENTAL TO THE GROOVE IN SAID BASE AND SHAPED TO FOLD DOWN PROGRESSIVELY AN OVERLAPPING EDGE OF THE STRIP, MOUNTING GUIDE MEANS SUPPORT- 